Little Indie's Ones To Watch 2021 Part 5

2020 may have been something of a damp squib in terms of everything, not least the music world. But, nevertheless, we still managed to find a whole host of new artists emerging as well as those who first raised their heads a little earlier shining through.

We asked a few of our contributors to give us a handful of acts that have been impressing them and who they are earmarking for more attention in 2021.

Here in Part 5, Izzy Butler shares her  recommended choices.

TV People

'Nothing More' and 'Kitchen Sinking' were just two dazzlers last year from the Dublin indie-punks TV People. Brooding, dark, atmospheric, with Paul Donohoe's baritone dealing rawness on lyrical matter such as addiction and destruction. Working with Dan Doherty at Darklands Audio, the producer best known for his Fontaines D.C. association adds to their credence.

Home Counties 

Home Counties have not stood still since arriving early in 2020, making an impressive debut with EP ‘Redevelopment’ in September, and have started 2021 with new single 'Modern Yuppies'. Little Indie spoke to  them last year - see here - and the five-piece from Bristol look set for a big year.

Home Counties · Modern 

Greentea Peng

Placed fourth in the BBC Sound Of 2021 poll, South London neo-soul singer Aria Wells, aka Greentea Peng - who took her name from a brand of green tea called Green Tea Seng - emits a smoky Amy Winehouse vocal vibe. Her deeply personal lyrics were first heard on her debut Earbuds-produced EP 'Sensi', followed by receiving the Gilles Petterson​'s WorldwideFM Breakthrough Act 2020 Award. 

Malady 

Credit: Anna Lowry

Their infectious debut single, ‘London, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down’, released on Nice Swan Records last October, fusing late 00s indie, dub, and electronica, was enough to set pulses going over new London four-piece Malady. If they have more where that came from, they could well blow up the next 12 months.

Griff

Nineteen-year-old, bedroom-pop artist Sarah Faith Griffiths, aka Griff, is another BBC Sound of 2021 poll finalist (she came fifth), and has just released new single ‘Black Hole’ and there's a later debut album set for this year.

Griff · Black